FIN announces diverse hybrid festival lineup for 2021

FIN: Atlantic International Film Festival is headed back to the silver screen this September, but audiences will still have programming on-demand via FIN Stream.

Wayne Carter, executive director of the festival, announced a stunning lineup for the 41st iteration of the popular event during a video press conference on August 25.

“One of the things that has become very apparent to many of us over these last 18 months is the importance of art and as an extension how important it is to experience different art forms within a group of like-minded people,” said Carter in a press release.

“Sitting at home watching a movie is an act we have all grown very accustomed to, but it certainly does not have the same sensory impact as big screen excitement. The ability to get lost in entertainment and thought is truly the domain of the cinema and we are so happy to be back and to have you with us.”

The festival, which runs from September 16th, 2021 to September 23rd, will feature 158 films from all around the world.

Program Manager Alex Brundige is excited to have screenings available in theatres and get the hybrid festival underway, with all health, social distancing and cleaning protocols in place.

“We're excited to be back into theatres, and keeping FIN Stream as a branch of the festival. This year it's all of the Atlantic content for stream, and we wanted to make that accessible and put our Atlantic content front and centre,” he said.

“It'll be different for the audience and us, but we have a strong program and we're lucky to go back with a great showing from the Atlantic Canadian film community. We're making it as safe and accessible as possible.”

Opening title Wildhood is a local film from North Mountain writer-director Bretten Hannam, who adapted this from original short Wildfire.

The coming-of-age story is a celebration of Mi'kmaq heritage and produced by Rebel Road Films, run by The Killing actor Gharrett Patrick Paon.

“We're very proud to be able to show a film like this that's so diverse and representative of communities that don't always get their stories told on a grand scale,” he said.

“A lot of short films get blown into features and feel like the content of the short is spread thin over a longer runtime. But Wildhood feels like the short was a springboard into an expanded world, story, and characters that came together beautifully.”

The festival is bookended by closing night film Official Competition, directed by distinguished pair Mariano Cohn and Gaston Duprat. Starring Oscar-nominees Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas, it's a dark comedy about filmmaking.

“It's a great capper to the festival, and you want people to leave with a high-energy comedy film. Any time you get Banderas and Cruz in a movie, it sells itself,” he said.

“Those two together are fantastic, and we wanted something fun and uplifting to end the festival. You see a whole range of emotions through the festival week, but after this sort of year, we wanted to end on a better note.”

Atlantic Canadian productions include Dawn, Her Dad & the Tractor, an Inside Out Film Festival selection and LGBTQ+ powerhouse film from director Shelley Thompson, Adam Perry's directorial debut in P.E.I. Production A Small Fortune, and filmmakers Paul Andrew Kimball, Marie & Meaghan Wright, and The Child Remains auteur Michael Melski will also be returning.

“It's always strong for Atlantic Canadian films, but this year long-time figures of the film world here have really brought it,” he said.

“Dawn is a beautiful family story. A Small Fortune takes a crime and found money genre and makes it distinctly P.E.I., and there's nothing quite like Seth's Smith's aesthetic in Tin Can.”

With the Reel East Coast Shorts Gala – presented by CBC – back again, as well as Gala Presentations from Joachim Trier (The Worst Person In The World), One Second from Oscar-nominated Hero and House of Flying Daggers director Zhang Yimou, there is plenty of talent from across the globe on board also.

“One Second is a really beautiful film about filmmaking, and we keep hearing it referred to as a Chinese version of Cinema Paradiso and that's spot-on,” he said.

In the anticipated Extreme program, which has featured films like Mandy, Bacarau, and Monos in the last few years, Julie Ducournau's Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winner Titane will show two nights at the festival.

“It's an Atlantic premiere, and it's pretty extreme in every sense of the word. Some hear that and think of violence, but this has to be seen to be believed,” he said.

“I read too much about it in advance, but I could only imagine seeing this and knowing nothing about it. Having it two nights means two chances to see it, and if people loved it the first night they can go again.”

Brundige said it will be amazing to get back to some semblance of normalcy and provide a festival more like what people know and love.

“We're really looking forward to getting back into the cinema and seeing everyone face to face. We are getting closer to festivals with no restrictions,” he said.

“We aren't quite there, but our biggest focus is bringing this festival back, bringing our audiences and guests back, and keeping everybody safe and comfortable.”

The online box-office for FIN will open on September 1. Program pass options will not be available for in-cinema this year, but single tickets and discounted packages will be available. There will be passes available for Stream.

Please note there will be no receptions or parties this year, due to COVID-19 restrictions. You can find more information about the festival online.

Author’s Note: The writer of this piece, Jordan Parker, also serves as a publicist for 8:37 REBIRTH and A Small Fortune, which are two of the many offerings in FIN: Atlantic International Film Festival’s programming for 2021.